Let's not make this harder than it has to be.
Every year, there's endless debate about NHL All-Star selections (though admittedly less recently, as the All-Star Game has lost some steam in general). The league added some intrigue with the adoption of a 3-on-3 tournament, but most will admit the real deal 3-on-3 is far more entertaining.
Regardless, one thing is clear: Cam Atkinson should be among those included tonight when the NHL makes its official roster announcement. We know the division captains – and now, the Metro Division needs one with Alex Ovechkin bowing out – and the Blue Jackets have a handful of contenders to be included with the full roster.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Seth Jones, Pierre-Luc Dubois...all worthy. But with 24 goals so far and a plus-50 goal pace still intact, it would be foolish for the NHL to leave its tied-fourth leading goal scorer out of the All-Star game.
Atkinson told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that, if selected, he would attend this year's festivities in San Jose, Calif. An All-Star selection would be the second of Atkinson's NHL career. He's now the Blue Jackets' all-time leader in hat tricks with six and has two already this season – the record-setter coming Dec. 4 against Calgary.
While the 2018-19 season isn't yet halfway over, Atkinson has already secured his sixth straight 20-goal campaign and is pacing to obliterate his previous career high of 35 goals, which came in 2016-17. He should torch his previous best of 62 points, as well.
So, powers that be: let's not screw this up. Atkinson is one of your best goal scorers and should be in San Jose.
